Leg splint



P 27, 1966 R. c. GRIER, JR 3,274,998

LEG SPLINT Filed Dec. 16, 1963 INVENTOR. 7 ROBERT C. GR/ER, JR

%9- 2' OW/Q44 A TTORNE Y United States Patent 3,274,998 LEG SPLINT Robert C. Grier, Jr., 303 W. Prentiss Ave., Greenville, S.C. Filed Dec. 16, 1963, Ser. No. 330,746 3 Claims. (Cl. 12885)- This invention relates to leg splints and more especially to improved splint devices particularly suitable for use in cases where traction is to be applied to the leg of the patient over prolonged periods of time.

Splints generally used for this purpose are of the type known as the Thomas splint. Such splints make use of a flexible roll of absorbent material fastened between rigid portions. One of the rigid portions extends beyond the posterior thigh curve causing a most uncomfortable arrangement beneath the patient and producing extensive sores upon extended use. Because of this extension beyond the posterior thigh curve on one side of the splint, use of a given splint is limited to either the right leg or the left leg. This requires the stocking of two different types of splints. When using splints of this type in emergency cases no means are provided for temporarily elevating the leg upon which the splint is applied. No means for positively positioning traction means in such temporary arrangements has been provided.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide an improved means for fastening a leg splint about the thigh portion of the patient which will not be bulky and which will avoid the application of undue pressures to adjacent body portions.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a positive means for securing traction producing and support means to such devices remote from the thigh of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a splint suitable for use either on the right leg or on the left leg thus simplifying stocking requirements.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of means for temporarily elevating the leg of the patient in emergency cases.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of means for applying traction which will be positively positioned in emergency cases.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be 'more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, illustrating a splint constructed in accordance with the present invention positioned upon means for temporarily elevating the leg of the patient for emergency use, and

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view illustrating the application of a splint constructed in accordance with the present invention to the leg of a patient in traction.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, a leg splint having a pair of spaced rigid aligned members adapted to be positioned on either side of the leg of a patient is illustrated. A flat curved member A constructed of nonabsorbent material joins the spaced aligned members at one end thereof and is disposed at an angle thereto to fit the posterior thigh curve of a patient. Portions of the 3,274,998 Patented Sept. 27, 1966 ice aligned members adjacent the flat curved member A and adjacent the thigh of the leg are flat as illustrated at B for engagement with the upper thigh. Means C join the other ends of the aligned members afiording spaced loop portions for attaching devices to the splint. A stand having an upper portion D, with spaced projections to be.

accommodated by the loop portions, is provided with a base E having elongated laterally adjustable members. The upper portion is vertically adjustable with respect to the base E.

The inside angle between the fiat substantially semicircular arcuate portion A is somewhat less than with respect to the spaced aligned members 10 so as to fit the posterior thigh curve of the user. It is important that member A be constructed of nonabsorbent material such as metal or plastic to avoid sores caused by continuous application of moisture to the body of the patient. It is important to note that the curved portion A is integrally joined with the flat portions B as by welding, not shown, and that openings 11 are provided for fastening cords for placing the leg of the wearer in traction .as illustrated in FIGURE 2. The legs of the splint, formed by the portions 10 and B, are of the same length so that the curved member A will rest beneath the posterior thigh curve of the patient.

The flat portions B extend in the area of the elongated members 10 which are in engagement with the thigh of the wearer, and are preferably formed integrally with the rod-like side members 10. The means C for joining the other ends of the members 10 includes a rod portion 13 integral with the side members 10 and a pair of loop portions 14. The inner edges of the arcuate member A are beveled as at 12.

Since the splint is substantially symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis, a given splint may be used either on the right or on the left leg of a patient.

FIGURE 1 shows the upper portion D of a stand for emergency use including a pair of spaced upwardly projecting portions 15 to be received within the loop members 14 of the means C. The projections 15 are carried by a vertical sliding member 16 which is telescopically received within a tubular base member 17. The base member 17 has a plurality of spaced apertures 18 for receiving a spring biased plunger 19 carried by the slidable member 16. The plunger 19 may be constructed in any conventional manner and could be carried by the member 17 and received within apertures carried by the member 16, if desired. The laterally adjustable base member E includes elongated flat members 20 pivotally mounted upon the base as upon the stub shaft 21. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the members 20 may be adjusted to any suitable position to offer best stability of the splint, and in this case the base E is confined under the mattress 22 of an emergency room table 23. As. upwardly inclined loop 24 is positioned between the loops 14 to positively position a pulley for applying traction to the leg which is thus rigged in an emergency case.

FIGURE 2 further illustrates the splint of FIGURE 1, and includes a Pearson attachment 25 for accommodating the lower leg portion of a leg in traction. It will be noted that suitable cords 26 are positively positioned withing the openings 11 for attachment to suitable pulley means. The free end of the Pearson attachment 25 is secured to the loops 14 and the cords 27 suitably tied and passed upwardly for attachment to suitable pulley means.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a leg splint having a pair of spaced rigid aligned members for extending on either side of a leg of a patient, means joining one end of said aligned members affording spaced loop portions for attaching devices to the splint, a stand having an upper portion with spaced projections accommodated by said loop portions,

a base having-elongated laterally adjustable members, and verticallyaadjustable means joining the upper, portion with the base, A

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 including, means positioned between the loop portions for'positively posibeing flat for engagement with the thigh of a patient, an

aperture adjacent each end of the flat curved member and extending through the end of said aligned member adjacent thereto, means engaging the apertures for supporting said one end of said aligned members, and means joining the other ends of said aligned members aifording spaced loop portions for positively attaching devices to the splint for supporting the other end of said members in a raised position.

References Cited by the Examiner V UNITED STATES PATENTS V 1 1,242,688 1,769,681 77/1930 Ettinger ,12885 1,891,755 12/1932 yDavis -12882 1 FOREIGN PATENTS 132,444 2/1948 1 Australia.

664,620 9/1929 2 France. 450,783 7/1936 Great Britain. 220,340 I 7/ 1942 Switzerland.

. RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

J. W. HINEY, JR., Assistant Examiner.

' 10/1917 1 Hawley 128-84 

1. IN COMBINATION, A LEG SPLINT HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED RIGID ALIGNED MEMBERS FOR EXTENDING ON EITHER SIDE OF A LEG OF A PATIENT, MEANS JOINING ONE END OF SAID ALIGNED MEMBERS AFFORDING SPACED LOOP PORTIONS FOR ATTACHING DEVICES TO THE SPLINT, A STAND HAVING AN UPPER PORTION WITH SPACED PROJECTIONS ACCOMMODATED BY SAID LOOP PORTIONS, A BASE HAVING ELONGATED LATERALLY ADJUSTABLE MEMBERS, AND VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE MEANS JOINING THE UPPER PORTION WITH THE BASE. 